It's all here About 20 miles north of the George Washington Bridge, Nyack (population 6,783) is the standard turnaround point for city cyclists. But the real fun is in starting a ride there. Whatever your cycling itch, Nyack has the ride to scratch it.

SEE THE HUDSON For cyclocross training or easy trail riding, try the Haverstraw Trail. "A good hybrid or mountain bike will be able to conquer it," says Rockland Cycling Club's David Schloss, "and a racer can use it as a cross-country time-trial course." From Nyack Beach, this 8-miler climbs more than 2,000 feet between Hook Mountain's cliffs and the Hudson's rocky shore. Turn around at Haverstraw; for 7 more miles, go to Rockland Lake before descending to Nyack Beach.

WIN A BEAR FIGHT Twenty minutes north of downtown, the winding, hilly roads of Harriman State Park offer surprising climbs. "It rivals California for the amount of vertical feet," says Jim Skelley, owner of Nyack Bicycle Outfitters. Perhaps no other route attracts weekend warriors like the 96-miler from downtown Nyack to Bear Mountain (1,284 feet) and back. The route includes a 4-mile climb that ascends more than 4,000 feet.

LOCAL SECRET The 50-mile Rocket Ride's ultrafast field can draw as many as a hundred riders as it heads south, picking up cyclists from New York City and northern New Jersey. A tradition since 1972, Skelley says, "It's a spontaneous ride--no club, no rules." The pace starts in the low 20s, then soars to 28 mph and, Skelley says, "sometimes there's no warm-up." Meet the crew at 8 a. m. every Sunday at Nyack Bicycle Outfitters on North Broadway.

Best of Nyack

YOU WANT: The best bike hangoutDO THIS: Grab a muffin at The Runcible Spoon BakeryGET THERE: 37 N. Broadway; runciblespoonbakery.com

YOU WANT: The best pizzaDO THIS: Bite into a slice of Sicilian at Turiello's Pizza House and RestaurantGET THERE: 76 Main St., 845/358-5440

YOU WANT: To be in the waterDO THIS: Swim 3 miles from Nyack to Sleepy Hollow; Hudson River Swim for LifeGET THERE: Sept. 13; hudsonriverswim.org

YOU WANT: To be near the waterDO THIS: Watch the Last Blast Regatta during the Nyack Boat Club's 100th AnniversaryGET THERE: Oct. 3; 59 Gedney St., nyackboatclub.org